Police: Suspected drunken driver causes crash into CdA home

An Idaho father was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Saturday night after police say he rear-ended another motorist into a home along the 800 block of North 15th Street in Coeur d’Alene.

William Velis Sr., 22, was taken into custody shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday after police say he struck a car driven by 33-year-old Mary Schumacher at the intersection of North 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue. The force of the crash propelled Schumacher’s vehicle into a home, which sustained exterior damage. No one inside the house reported injuries, according to police.

Velis fled the scene on foot with a child, Coeur d’Alene police said in a news release. The two were found nearby. The toddler was examined by paramedics and released into the custody of a family member, police said. Schumacher was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Velis was also treated at the scene, then booked into jail on charges of driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, driving without privileges and driving in violation of the open container law. Kootenai County District Court is closed Monday in observance of Veteran’s Day.

According to previous news reports, Velis was involved in a SWAT standoff stemming from an argument with a neighbor in April. A child was also present during that incident.